1. To remain; to continue in a place; to abide fixed for a space of time; to stop; to stand still. She would command the hasty sun to stay. Spenser. Stay, I command you; stay and hear me first. Dryden. I stay a little longer, as one stays To cover up the embers that still burn. Longfellow.
2. To continue in a state. The flames augment, and stay At their full height, then languish to decay. Dryden.
3. To wait; to attend; to forbear to act.
I'll tell thee all my whole device When I am in my coach, which stays
for us. Shak.
The father can not stay any longer for the fortune. Locke.
4. To dwell; to tarry; to linger. I must stay a little on one action. Dryden.
5. To rest; to depend; to rely; to stand; to insist. I stay here on my bond. Shak. Ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon. Isa. xxx. 12.
6. To come to an end; to cease; as, that day the storm stayed. [Archaic] Here my commission stays. Shak.
7. To hold out in a race or other contest; as, a horse stays well. [Colloq.]
8. (Naut.)
Defn: To change tack; as a ship.
STAY Stay, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. estai, F. étai support, and E. stay a rope to support a mast.]